Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-04-01
moments the carriage was lost sight
OF IN the deepening gloo M.

Again 4 girl was leaning from an
open easement. She wore gown OF
soft, gray material that fell in clinging
folds around her slight form; and her
han. cut quite short, covered her.
small head in silken curls. The scene
upon which she was gazing was peace
:fui enough. It was the rose garden of
anold English manorhouse, and q
child was playing among The flowers.
Hlther, more than two years before,
Margaret Vaughn had been brought
after her lingering recovery from the
terrible attack of brain fever folio wing
her first and last visit to the gaming
saloon at Foundriere, and here she
had remained ever since as the friend
and companion Of the widowed sister
to whom Capt. Mostyn had confided
her. a deep and strong attachment
had sprung up between Lady Chef
wynd and herself, and at last Mar.
garet had found peace after the storm
and rest after the struggles of the
past.
At first Capt. Mostyn had been fire.
quently at the manor house, but then;
quite suddenly, and without assigning
any reason for his decision, he exchang-
ed into a regiment ordered on active
service, and had continued with it
during the whole campaign.
On this day he was returning to h
sisters's house covered with glory.
And the child played on. and the
girl still leaned from the easement,
waiting. Little did she guess that the
soldier who was returning home had
loft that home because he had learned
to love her too we'll; but in those
months OF danger and separation she
felt dimly, and with pang of self re.
proach and shame, that a feeling had
crept into her own heart which made
her shrink and tremble at the coming
meeting a feeling she dared not at
tempt to analyze.
Now her heart was beating wildly as
she tried vainly to assume calmness
she could not feel, soft rose-tint
deepened on her cheeks, and the love-
light stole into her tender eyes.
just then some one entered the rose
garden, and the child, his little hands
full OF flowers, looked round wonder
ingly, and then ran boldly up to the
intruder.
Are you my own papa come back
from over the sea?" he asked; and the
words reached Margaret, but she could
not see to whom they were addressed.
The answer, however, filled her soul
with dismay, for the intruder, catching
the child in his arms, was evidently
approaching and o mans voice said
mendaciously:
eyes, my darling, I am your own
papa come back from over the seal"
and with a few whispered words they
passed along the lawn, close to the
window where Margaret was.
She dropped upon her knees, with
her face hidden in her hands, and they
could see nothing but the wide open
easement, with the leafy screen of ivy
and clematis. She knew they were
coming in, and yet she had hardly the
power to move. She could. not stand
when she had risen from her knees,
trembling in every limb.
, The child's footsteps halted a mo.
ment by the door, and then passed
away quickly, but a strong hand
grasped the handle, and she heard as
in dream frank, imperious voice
uttering her name.
margaret, Ihave pledged myself in
the rose garden to something perilous,
ly sweet; I could not help 1.-THE
temptation was too great. I am an
lmpostor 9nd a rogue. Will you
shelter and save me?"
''How can save you?" faltered
Margaret, pale and trembling.
"By helping me to redeem the pledge,
my darling" replied the audacious in
truder, F'for Icsennot face Harry with.
out my wife!"
"Your wife," Margaret echoed, stung
into indignant protest. "How long
have you found that you needed one,
Col: Mostyn?''
'Since the day I carried you out Of
the saloon at Foudriere," answered
the unabashed speaker. "My darling"
he added tenderly, "don't you know
that I have loved you ever since I held
you in my arms that day?'
Little Harry's question was not q
groundless one, after all; afather, ten.
der and faithful, did come over the sea
f0, him On that mo,n0ra h1o nvopino